It is important in the days since September 11th, that we reevaluate what went wrong and what we can do as a nation to help prevent future attacks. Congress is taking a close look at airport security measures and immigration policies as part of this plan.

In light of the recent terrorist attacks we must reexamine all our immigration policies, tighten up our visa and passport policies and develop better security programs. We must strike a balance between America being a land of opportunity and allowing immigrants to enter our country with evil intentions.

Since the attack, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has detained over 1,000 people for questioning and is still looking for others. If these detainees have in any way had contact with or contributed to a terrorist organization, they can be deported even if they are in the United States on a valid visa. Grounds for deportation for terrorist activity are much broader than for criminal charges.

President Bush has announced a new task force whose mission will be to identify and plug holes in the immigration system that allow terrorists into this country and to identify terrorists already here and get them out. Bush’s Foreign Terrorist Tracking Task Force would require immigration authorities to ask tough questions of foreigners seeking student visas to study in the United States and make sure they actually attend classes.

Clearly the problem of immigration must be addressed now. I am working with my colleagues in the House to find the best way to screen those applying for visas, keep track of them while they are in our country, and make sure that they leave our country when their visas expire.